Safe Futures A Plan for Program Improvement - Department of ...

5th Quarter: Division Director, Social caseloads manageable. Caseloads will decrease
Services Director, County Directors, County dramatically toward meeting CWLA standards.
Supervisors
5th Quarter Report: Incorporation of information into the
performance management plan to ensure focus on the
mental health needs of child and family.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1 st Quarter Report: Case managers job requirements have not been revised to ensure focus on mental health. At this time,
preliminary data is being complied to accomplish this goal. The latest data available for caseload studies was taken over a twelvemonth
average ending June 30, 2002. At that time the current caseload for staff in Child Protective Services was eighteen and in
Placement was twenty-one. The rates did not reflect the impact of case distribution due to employee absence for extended sick leave or
family leave. Additionally, the Georgia Office of the Child Advocate completed a detailed survey September 15,2002 with a 100%
response from the 159 counties regarding caseloads, staffing and education/experience. The survey found that caseloads varied from
19 to 30 depending on the size of the county with the average statewide being 25.36 per worker. This information will assist in the
process of gaining a true and accurate caseload accounting. Method for measuring accomplishments: Current IDS caseload
accounting, survey completed by the Office of the Child Advocate and Social Services Series job descriptions. Completed job study
analysis and functionality in current accounting system to provide accurate caseload numbers. Currently, the numbers available for
caseload count are based on allocated positions and average number of cases for a specific period. Actions to be taken next quarter: 1.
A job study analysis will be completed. 2. Functionality in the computer system will be addressed to determine if more accurate
caseload accounting is possible. The start date for this goal is January 2003. Thus the preliminary work accomplished is reasonable.
2 nd Quarter Report: The latest data available for caseload studies was taken over a twelve-month average ending June 30, 2002. At
that time the current caseload for staff in Child Protective Services was eighteen and in Placement was twenty-one. The rates did not
reflect the impact of case distribution due to employee absence for extended sick leave or family leave. Additionally, the Georgia
Office of the Child Advocate completed a detailed survey September 15,2002 with a 100% response from the 159 counties regarding
caseloads, staffing and education/experience. The survey found that caseloads varied from 19 to 30 depending on the size of the
county with the average statewide being 25.36 per worker. This information will assist in the process of gaining a true and accurate
caseload accounting.
3 rd Quarter Report: Due to changes in staff and leadership for this action step, additional time is necessary to further evaluate the
role of case managers in relation to the focus on the mental health needs of the child and family. It is evident that with a current
average caseload of 25.36 per worker the ability to focus more intently in this area may be minimal. The Division with the support
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Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
March, 2004 Quarter 5 – Work Plan O Page 11